Punch device

ABSTRACT

A hand positionable portable perforating device having a punch member retained in the upper arm of a C-shaped frame by a tangentially slotted bushing which functions both as a punch guide by surrounding the periphery of the upper portion of the punch and as a punch retaining member by having a lower portion engaging a shoulder on the punch. A die which is supported in the lower arm by a stepped mounting pad and a mating restraining member is thereby positively locked, aligned and easily disassembled.

United States Patent Saladin June 26, 1973 [5 PUNCH DEVICE 2,953,0519/1960 Grossman 83/140 3,114,280 12/1963 Schott [751 Invenwr- LawrenceSalad, Evergreen. 2,364,401 12/1944 Stellin 83/686 x Park, Ill. 1

[73] Assignee: Accurate Manufacturing Co., i ry Examiner-l e sterChicago, Ill. Attorney-Richard J. Myers 22 El d: A 2 1 71 l 1 9 57ABSTRACT [21 1 Appl' 173926 A hand positionable portable perforatingdevice having a punch member retained in the upper arm of a C- [52] us.Cl 83/140, 83/588, 83/635, h p f ame y a ng n i lly l tted bushing which83/685, 83/698 functions both as a punch guide by surrounding the pe-[51] Int. Cl B26f 1/14 riphery of the upper portion of the punch and asa [58] Field of Search 83/140, 588, 590, punch retaining member byhaving a lower portion en- 83/685-691, 698-700, 635 gaging a shoulder onthe punch. A die which is supported in the lower arm by a steppedmounting pad and [56] References Cited a mating restraining member isthereby positively locked, aligned and easily disassembled.

11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented June 26, 1973 3,741,056

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented June 26, 1973 3,741,056

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PUNCH DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field ofthe Invention This invention pertains to a device used in perforatingsheet material and having punch and die restraining and mountingmembers.

2. Description of the Prior Art Hand positionable, portable punching andperforating devices have found great acceptance where low volumeproduction is anticipated and where single or a series of punches,perforations, semi-perforations, or pierces are desired in a sheetmaterial. There are a variety of such punching devices available withthe most popular being the C-shaped type having an upper arm housing thepunch assembly and lower arm containing the die assembly. Variousmethods such as set screws and locating pins have been used in the pastto retain and guide the punch and die members to insure properalignment, ease of assembly and replacement, long life, and reliabilityof operation.

Conventional punching devices are somewhat undesirable when the punch isguided in the bore of the upper arm but not restrained from jumping outwhen suddenly released from a punched sheet such as frequently occurs asa tool becomes dull. Also, if the punch is not restrained it may fallout during set-up or storage resulting in loss or damage.

Another problem with this type of punching device relates to the methodused in positioning and securing the die element in the lower arm.Conventional die securing and positioning methods generally consist ofboring out a chamber in the lower arm and inserting the die elementwhich is then held in position by a key which is fitted into a slot onthe die. This conventional die securing method is often unacceptablesince as the die functions generally high forces are brought to bear onthe sides and bottom of the chamber which houses the die, the'bore ofthe chamber will become oversized thus causing a misalignment betweenthe panel and the die. It is difficult and time consuming to shim up abore which is oversized and generally the procedure followed is one ofboring out the chamber and placing an insert in the new bore diameter.The insert then houses the die.

SUMMARY The present invention relates to a sheet perforating device andconcentric adjacent bores in the upper and lower arms of the C-shapedframe. The punch has the usual cylindrical shank and bit portions butalso has a tangential flat portion to permit alignment with a guide keywhich is fastened to the upper arm and also restrains the punch in thebore. A removable and replaceable anvil or washer is fastenable to thetop of the punch. A transversely slotted punch guide bushing ispositioned below the anvil and surrounding the punch to guide andrestrain the punch in its reciprocating vertical movement.

A die assembly located at the end of the lower arm includes the usualcylindrical die member; however, the present invention contemplates adie member having a flat stepped area for alignment with a mating dierestraining member. Die restraining members are positioned below the dieto provide support and distribute impact forces and a second matingmember is fastened on the side of the die member for additional securingof the die. These die assembly members are easilyassembled anddisassembled and provide for realigning the die with the punch after diewear has occurred.

Thus, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a bandpositionable C-shaped punching device having a punch member with aremovable and replaceable head portion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a punch member having aflat side portion which is used for alignment and restraining purposes.

A further object is to provide a punch unit having guide bushingincluding a slot portion through which a retainer or stop plate mayextend to engage the punch and prevent movement of the punch beyond apredetermined position.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a punch assembly positivelyrestrained in the bore of a punching device by simple, easily assembledcomponents.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a die supporting andrestraining means which will rigidly support the die and yet allow foreasy, quick insertion and removal of the die from the lower arm of theframe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofthe invention with portions removed and partially in section;

FIG. 1a is an enlarged sectional view of the punch assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the die assembly;

FIG. 4a is a view of the die assembly in the partially assembledcondition;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the punch guide bushing;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of the punch member;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational sectional view of a modification of thepunch and die'assembly;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The perforating device 10 of the present inventionincludes a rigid metallic frame 12 of generally C- shaped profile andhaving an upper arm 14 and a lower arm 16. The perforating device issecurely fastened to the press bed 18 as by fasteners 20 which extendthrough a slot 22 in the lower arm 16 and into spaced and parallelT-shaped slotted rails 24 in the press bed 18. A slot 26 extendsvertically through the upper arm 14 and may be used to facilitatetightening of fasteners 20 by wrenches which are inserted through slot26 to gain access to the fasteners. A pilot pin 28 extends downward fromthe lower arm 16 and into a closely toleranced locating bore 30 in thepress bed 18, to accurately position the punching device 10.

The lower arm 16 includes a cutout or receiving portion 32 into which adie assembly 34 is positioned and secured as by bolts 36.

A discharge chute 38 is located below the die assembly 34 to facilitateremoval of metal slugs. The die assembly 34 includes a lower anvil plate39,1ocking plate member 40 and the die 41. The lower anvil plate 39 hasa stepped portion 42, an arcuate or rounded portion 44 and a bore oropening 46 extending the depth of the anvil 39 (see FIG. 4). A diemember 41 having an aperture 50 aligned with the bore 46 in the anvil39, has a flat portion 52 and shoulder portion 53 to implement alignmentand securing of the die. The locking and locating plate 40 has a firststepped portion 54 corresponding to and mating with the stepped portion42 of the lower anvil 39. A second stepped portion 56 (as best shown inFIGS. 1 and 4a) fits over the shoulder 53 of the die 41 to firmly lockdie 41 in position.

The upper arm 14 supports the punch and guide assembly 58 which isreciprocally mounted in vertical bore 60. Punch and guide assembly 58includes: a punch 62 centrally positioned in the bore 60 and inalignment with the die 41; a lower annular collar 64 which guides thepunch 62 and holds down the sheet 66 prior to punching; and a punchguide bushing 69 slidably disposed at the upper end of the punch 62.Retainer plate 70 is insertable through the tangential slot 72 in guidebushing 68 and registers against the flat surface 74 of the punch 62 andguide bushing 68 which is engageable with shoulder 75 to retain andalign punch 62. A stripping spring 76 extends around the punch 62between the collar 64 and the guide bushing 68 to bias both membersapart.

The punch 62 includes a cylindrical shank 78 and has a replaceablehardened anvil disc 80 fixedly secured as by screw 82 for engagementwith the ram of a press and, at its lower end, the punch has aperforating bit 84 which is of reduced diameter of the shank 78.

A lifter spring 86 is positioned between the flange 88 of the collar 64and the shoulder 90 of the vertical bore 60 to bias the two shouldersapart when the ram of the press is no longer forcing the punch down intoengagement with the sheet 66.

In operating, as the ram of a press descends toward the bed 18 strikingthe hardened anvil 80, the punch guide bushing 68, punch 62, and collar64 descend toward the sheet 66 in unison compressing spring 86. Whencontact between the sheet 66 and the collar 64 occurs, the punch 62 andguide bushing 68 continue moving downward as the punch bit penetratesthe sheet 66 and the spring 76 is' compressed (see FIG. 1a). As the ramreverses direction and begins its ascent, the opposite occurs with thepunch 62 moving upward through collar 64 and thereby the collar 64 actsas a stripper by holding the sheet 66 on the die 41 until the punch bithas been disengaged, thus preventing inadvertent movement of the sheetwhich could break off the bit 84 of the punch 62 if the bit was notdisengaged from the sheet before sheet movement was initiated.

alongside the guide bushing 68a within the tangential slot portions 72ato thereby guide and restrain travel of the bushing 68a.

Along the inner bore of the bushing 68a is a vertically extending slot73a which receives a part of a key 74a. The key 74a is fixedly securedin an arcuate seat cut in the punch 62.

The die assembly 34 includes a modified die 41a and a modified dierestraining block 40a having set screw Operation of the modified versionis similar to operation of the first embodiment. The guide bushing 68aand key 74a cooperate with the finger portions 71a of the retainer a toprevent rotation of the punch 62 and also prevent removal of the punchfrom the vertical bore 60 of upper arm 14.

The die assembly 340 shown in FIG. 7 includes the die member 41a mountedon the anvil mounting member 39 and held in place by the locking plate40a. Positioned in and extending through locking plate 40a is a setscrew retaining member 40b which bears upon the die member 41a tofurther secure and align the die member 41a.

What is claimed is:

l. A punching device including:

a frame having an upper arm including an opening extending therethroughand including a lower arm spaced from said upper arm,

a punch assembly positioned for reciprocating vertical movement in theopening of said upper arm,

a die assembly positioned in the lower arm in alignment with said punchassembly,

said punch assembly including a punch member and associated guide meanstherefor having spaced upper and lower punch guide members surroundingthe punch member,

resilient biasing means surrounding said punch member and separatingsaid upper and said lower guide members,

said upper guide member including a guide and re-' straining slot means,

retainer means fixedly attached to said upper arm and including aportion extending within said guide and restraining slot means of theupper guide member,

said punch member having a non-arcuate portion,

said upper punch guide member having an opening extending therethroughand said opening having a contour having complemental cooperation withsaid non-arcuate portion allowing guided nonrotational movement of thepunch member.

2. The invention according to claim 1, and

said punch associated guide means being a tangentially extending flatportion in registration with the retainer means for providing generalmovement of said punch.

3. A punching device including:

a frame having an upper arm including an opening extending therethroughand including a lower arm spaced from said upper arm,

a punch assembly positioned for reciprocating vertical movement in theopening of said upper arm,

a die assembly positioned in the lower arm in alignment with said punchassembly,

said punch assembly including a punch member and associated guide meanstherefor having spaced upper and lower punch guide members surroundingthe punch member,

resilient biasing means surrounding said punch member and separatingsaid upper and said lower guide members,

said upper guide member including a guide and restraining slot means,

retainer means fixedly attached to said upper arm and including aportion extending within said guide and restraining slot means of theupper guide member,

said upper punch guide member including a vertically extending internalslot portion,

a guide key fixedly positioned between said internal slot portion andsaid punch member.

4. The invention according to claim 3, and

said retainer means including spaced finger portions extending intoabutting engagement with said guide and restraining slot means of theupper guide member.

5. A punching device including:

a frame having an upper arm including an opening extending therethroughand including a lower arm spaced from said upper arm, v

a punch assembly'positioned for reciprocating vertical movement in theopening of said upper arm,

a die assembly positioned in the lower arm in alignment with said punchassembly,

said punch assembly including a punch member and associated guide meanstherefor having spaced upper and lower punch guide members surroundingthe punch member,

resilient biasing means surrounding said punch member and separatingsaid upper and said lower guide members,

said upper guide member including a guide and restraining slot means,

- retainer frnea'ns fixedly attached to said upper arm a die mounted onthe' anvil plate and including an alignment and attaching portion,

a locking means including portions engageable with the anvil plate andthe die.

6. The invention according to claim 5, and

said locking means including a locating and locking screw memberengageable with the die.

7. In a punching device having a frame with an upper arm including apunch assembly positioned for vertical reciprocating movement therein,and a lower arm spaced from said upper arm, a die assembly in said lowerarm and comprising:

a supporting plate positioned in said lower arm,

a die member mounted on said supporting plate,

die member locking and aligning means having portions'engageable withthe supporting plate and the die member.

8. The invention according to claim 7, and

said die mmber including an alignment portion in registration with saidlocking and aligning means. 9. The invention according to claim l,'andsaid restraining slot means including a vertical flat surface on saidupperguide member and upper and lower stops on said guide member,

said retainer means engaging said vertical surface in preventingrotation of said upper guide member and said retainer means engaging theupper and lower stops in limiting vertical movement of said upper guidemember. I g

10. The invention according to claim 3, and

second resilient biasing means surrounding said lower guide member andproviding a return of said lower guide member inwardly of said upperarm.

ll-. The invention according to claim 1', and

second resilient biasing means surrounding said lower guide member andproviding a return of said lower guide member inwardly of said upperarm.

k a: 1k

1. A punching device including: a frame having an upper arm including anopening extending therethrough and including a lower arm spaced fromsaid upper arm, a punch assembly positioned for reciprocating verticalmovement in the opening of said upper arm, a die assembly positioned inthe lower arm in alignment with said punch assembly, said punch assemblyincluding a punch member and associated guide means therefor havingspaced upper and lower punch guide members surrounding the punch member,resilient biasing means surrounding said punch member and separatingsaid upper and said lower guide members, said upper guide memberincluding a guide and restraining slot means, retainer means fixedlyattached to said upper arm and including a portion extending within saidguide and restraining slot means of the upper guide member, said punchmember having a non-arcuate portion, said upper punch guide memberhaving an opening extending therethrough and said opening having acontour having complemental cooperation with said non-arcuate portionallowing guided non-rotational movement of the punch member.
 2. Theinvention according to claim 1, and said punch associated guide meansbeing a tangentially extending flat portion in registration with theretainer means for providing general movement of said punch.
 3. Apunching device including: a frame having an upper arm including anopening extending therethrough and including a lower arm spaced fromsaid upper arm, a punch assembly positioned for reciprocating verticalmovement in the opening of said upper arm, a die assembly positioned inthe lower arm in alignment with said punch assembly, said punch assemblyincluding a punch member and associated guide means therefor havingspaced upper and lower punch guide members surrounding the punch member,resilient biasing means surrounding said punch member and separatingsaid upper and said lower guide members, said upper guide memberincluding a guide and restraining slot means, retainer means fixedlyattached to said upper arm and including a portion extending within saidguide and restraining slot means of the upper guide member, said upperpunch guide member including a vertically extending internal slotportion, a guide key fixedly positioned between said internal slotportion and said punch member.
 4. The invention according to claim 3,and said retainer means including spaced finger portions extending intoabutting engagement with said guide and restraining slot means of theupper guide member.
 5. A punching device including: a frame having anupper arm including an opening extending therethrough and including alower arm spaced from said upper arm, a punch assembly positioned forreciprocating vertical movement in the opening of said upper arm, a dieassembly positioned in the lower arm in alignment with said punchassembly, said punch assembly including a punch member and associatedguide means therefor having spaced upper and lower punch guide memberssurrounding the punch member, resilient biasing means surrounding saidpunch member and separating said upper and said lower guide members,said upper guide member including a guide and restraining slot means,retainer means fixedly attached to said upper arm and including aportion extending within said guide and restraining slot means of theupper guide member, said lower arm including a notched portion and aslug ejector chute, an anvil plate positioned in said notched portion, adie mounted on the anvil plate and including an alignment and attachingportion, a locking means including portions engageable with the anvilplate and the die.
 6. The invention according to claim 5, and saidlocking means including a locating and locking screw member engageablewith the die.
 7. In a punching device having a frame with an upper armincluding a punch assembly positioned for vertical reciprocatingmovement therein, and a lower arm spaced from said upper arm, a dieassembly in said lower arm and comprising: a supporting plate positionedin said lower arm, a die member mounted on said supporting plate, diemember locking aNd aligning means having portions engageable with thesupporting plate and the die member.
 8. The invention according to claim7, and said die mmber including an alignment portion in registrationwith said locking and aligning means.
 9. The invention according toclaim 1, and said restraining slot means including a vertical flatsurface on said upper guide member and upper and lower stops on saidguide member, said retainer means engaging said vertical surface inpreventing rotation of said upper guide member and said retainer meansengaging the upper and lower stops in limiting vertical movement of saidupper guide member.
 10. The invention according to claim 3, and secondresilient biasing means surrounding said lower guide member andproviding a return of said lower guide member inwardly of said upperarm.
 11. The invention according to claim 1, and second resilientbiasing means surrounding said lower guide member and providing a returnof said lower guide member inwardly of said upper arm.